Rogersville Missouri
Drury Class of 1969
Served as Trustee: 1993-2007
Elected Emeritus Trustee: 2024
Larry O’Reilly grew up in the automotive business working his way through high school and college in all areas of retail, distribution, and administration at O’Reilly Auto Parts. After receiving a Business Administration Degree from Drury College, he became an outside salesperson for O’Reilly Auto Parts.
In 1975, he was appointed sales manager and made responsible for O’Reilly store growth in the company through acquisitions of competitive companies and new locations. In 1993, when the company went public, Larry was appointed Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-President of O’Reilly Automotive Inc. He was also Chief Operating Officer, responsible for Advertising, Store Design, Store Operations, Real Estate, Property Development and Training departments. Larry retired from O’Reilly Auto Parts in 2003 but remains active on the board as Co-Chairman.
Larry served on the Board of Mercy Hospital for 25 years, Drury University board for 20 years, Community Foundation of the Ozarks board for 10 years, Missouri Sports Hall of Fame board for over 20 years. This just names a few organizations that he has helped grow over the years. Larry is a proud Sigma Nu Fraternity alumnus.
The children of Haiti are very close to his heart. He and a colleague have helped build a school in Tomissique, Haiti. Larry has organized many fundraising events to provide education, food, uniforms, medicine and much more for hundreds of children who are the poorest of the poor at Hope Academy.
Larry is a huge supporter of conservation and protecting our natural water in rivers, streams and springs. He works with and supports The Nature Conservancy and Missouri Department of Conservation.
Larry is an avid bike rider. He has ridden across the country several times and into Canada and Mexico. He is married to his wife Anya and has four children, Lauren, Leigh, Ragan and Nathaniel.